THEThe G Talk AndAZETTE- Cobden Review • ServingD UnionEMOCRAT County Since 1849 Thursday, September 24, 2020 Anna, Illinois ©2020 Reppert Publications $1.00 Volume 171, Number 41 State’s attorney, sheriff to monitor polling places News Union County State’s county to ensure that voting Lance Meisenheimer to zone of the polling place. ing members of the public Attorney Daniel Klinge- rights are protected and that respond to any suspected Voters who try to leave about their rights regarding Notes mann and Union County no improper activity occurs violations of the Illinois the polling place with a the election process. Items of interest Sheriff Scott Harvel have in or around polling places. Election Code. ballot. Impersonating a If a voter’s registration from throughout announced that their offices Personnel from the offic- Union County officials registered voter. is active and current, the will again be monitoring es of the state’s attorney and remind the public that vio- Payment for a vote. Tam- the Union County area voter does not need to show Union County polling plac- the sheriff will be monitor- lators could be arrested and pering with voting equip- es on Election Day, which ing for anyone campaigning face significant fines and ment. Illegal casting of identification to vote. is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3. in or around polling places jail or prison time. votes. If a voter makes a mis- Klingemann and Har- or otherwise interfering Possible criminal viola- Interfering with the vot- take or “spoils” a paper vel said in a news release with the election process. tions could include: ing process. Harassing the ballot and the voter has not that prosecutors and Union The state’s attorney’s of- Active campaigning and election judges. Harassing cast the ballot, the voter County Sheriff’s Office fice and the sheriff’s office solicitation of votes in the the voters. Illegal voter as- has the right to receive a With a Sept. 30 deadline investigators will visit poll- will be working closely polling place or within the sistance or instruction. replacement ballot. rapidly approaching, South- ing places throughout the with Union County Clerk 100 foot campaign free Officials also are remind- (continued on page 2) ern Seven Health Depart- ment is making a final push to encourage everyone to respond to the 2020 cen- COVID-19 sus. The health department notes that for every person More than 1,000 who doesn’t complete their census, the Southern Seven cases in region The region served by region will lose $15,000 over the next 10 years for the Southern Seven Health schools, hospitals, emer- Department has surpassed gency services, business 1,000 COVID-19 cases. development, housing pro- Health department statis- grams, senior and child tics also show that Union programs, Head Start, WIC, County is nearing a total of SNAP and jobs. 500 cases. *** Southern Seven Health University of Illinois Department reported a cu- Extension is sponsoring mulative total of 1,019 con- the second annual Can firmed cases of COVID-19 Construction Canned Food in its service area as of Drive. All are welcome to Monday, Sept. 21. participate in the event, The health department which focuses on food se- serves Union, Alexander, curity issues in the region. Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Details are available at local Pope and Pulaski counties. Extension offices. As of Sept. 21, Union Union County Census Day held Sept. 17 *** County had a total of 483 A Union County Census Day was held Thursday, Sept. 17. Activities were scheduled at locations Autumn started Tuesday COVID-19 cases. throughout Union County as part of an effort to help area residents to fill out their 2020 census forms. morning, Sept. 22. Southern Seven Health Successful op-up events were slated in Cobden, Alto Pass, Jonesboro and Dongola. Census Day *** Department on Monday activities culminated last Thursday afternoon on the front lawn at Stinson Memorial Library in Anna. Fall crops (and summer confirmed a total of 23 new Nearly 50 people signed up for the census at the various events. crops, too) were available in cases of COVID-19 in the Census Day was sponsored by the City of Anna and Union County, and was supported by the Illinois abundance Tuesday morn- region it serves in Southern Migrant Council, the Village of Cobden, the Village of Dongola, the City of Jonesboro, the Shawnee ing at the Union County Illinois for the period of Mass Transit District, Southern Seven Health Department and the Southern Five Regional Planning farmers’ market in Anna. Commission. Shawnee Mass Transit District partnered with Union County Census Day organizers to Sept. 18-21. Several producers said the offer free rides to and from the event within the county. Four of the new cases 2020 growing season has Computers were available that could be used for submitting the 2020 census electronically. Union were in Union County. been a good one. County Census Day also featured free food (with nearly 100 hot dogs served in Anna), giveaways, prizes The health department *** every hour, fliers and information, along with a chance to win a $50 gift card, a new Chromebook and reported that the newly Conditions are starting to other prizes. confirmed cases, by county, get a little bit dry outdoors. gender and age, included: The Union County area Union County: two fe- hasn’t had much rain in males in their 30s, one fe- Rural Health thanks staff recent days. male in her 40s, one female *** in her 60s. member for making masks The Illinois Emergency During the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, many Alexander County: one Management Agency is people are going the extra mile to help others in the com- female in her 20s, one male encouraging all families, munity. in his 30s, two females in schools, businesses and Rural Health Inc. in Anna is highlighting one of its their 60s, one female in her other organizations to par- very own for stepping up and doing her part during the 70s, one male in his 80s. ticipate in the Great Central pandemic. Johnson County: one fe- U.S. ShakeOut on Oct. Patty Phillippe, executive secretary at Rural Health Inc., male in her 10s, one male in 15 at 10:15 a.m. The goal has created almost 250 face masks for staff members, their his 20s, two males in their of this “Drop, Cover and families and friends. 30s, three males in their Hold On” drill is to improve Phillippe has used her own resources and time for the 40s, one female in her 50s, preparedness and to draw effort. She chooses the materials, cuts and sews the masks one male in his 80s. attention to the earthquake together. Massac County: one fe- hazards that exist in Il- Phillippe said she loves seeing the journey each mask linois (including Southern male in her 60s. takes, and is proud to know that she is doing her part Illinois), across the country Pope County: one male to keep others safe, and perhaps making a difference in and around the world. in his 70s. someone’s life. (continued on page 2) Pulaski County: one male Rural Health Inc. expresses its gratitude for Phillippe’s in his 40s, one female in actions, noting that “the effort and detail that Phillippe her 70s. puts into each mask is awe-inspiring. All of those with active Special effort noted During a time where the organization has face masks cases of COVID-19 are Rural Health Inc. executive secretary Patty readily available for patients, Rural Health says it’s nice being isolated. Phillippe has created nearly 250 face masks for to know that one of their own is doing their part to help (continued on page 2) staff, their family and friends. Photo provided. keep their fellow co-workers safe as well.” Constitution Week commemorated in Anna Sept. 17-23 was pro- claimed as Constitution Week in the City of Anna. Anna Mayor Steve Har- tline signed a proclamation which commemorated the anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The commemoration also was highlighted by a spe- cial bell-ringing ceremony which was held in down- town Anna. The proclamation signed by the mayor of Anna noted that Sept. 17 marked the 233rd anniversary of the drafting of the Constitu- tion of the United States of America by the Constitu- tional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pa. The proclamation de- Bell-ringing celebrates U.S. Constitution clared that it is “fitting A group of enthusiastic participants gathered Thursday afternoon, Sept. 17, in downtown Anna to and proper to officially commemorate the 233rd anniversary of drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Various chapters of the Daughters (continued on page 2) of the American Revolution joined to ring bells at 3 p.m. in commemoration of the landmark event. Page 2 - Section A Thursday, September 24, 2020 The Gazette-Democrat THE GAZETTE-DEMOCRAT County again at COVID-19 warning level THE TALK AND COBDEN REVIEW Serving Union County Since 1849 Southern Seven Health The IDPH county-level than 50 cases per 100,000 testing in Union, Johnson (USPS 215-280) Department reported on risk map can be viewed on people. and Pulaski counties, build- 112 Lafayette St., P.O. Box 529 Friday, Sept. 18, that the the County Level Covid-19 The test positivity per- ing the Southern Seven Anna, Illinois 62906-0529 coronavirus disease (CO- Risk Metrics website. centage for Union County contact tracing workforce, Phone: 618-833-2158 VID-19) risk level in Union Union County showed an was 8.2 percent out of 305 coordinating with law en- Fax: 618-833-5813 County had changed from tests, up from 6.4 percent forcement officials and Email: [email protected] Member increase in two risk metrics blue to orange on the Il- from Sept.